- Nursing
- Nursing specialties
- Nurse advocate
Nurse advocate
In a nurse advocate role, you'll be the liaison between patients and doctors, to help patients understand their diagnosis and make the best decisions.
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Required education
ADN or BSN
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Managerial
Oversee other nurses and help improve healthcare for all.
Research-oriented
Analyze data and discover new ways to help patients.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
What is the role of a nurse advocate?
You’ll help patients, giving them confidence and supporting their wishes while helping them make informed decisions about their health.
What you’ll do as a nurse advocate
Assessment
You’ll review patient concerns and work with doctors to make sure they’re receiving the best and most cost-effective healthcare.
Education
You’ll teach patients about their diagnoses, available treatments and healthcare decisions.
Representation
You’ll represent the patient when their wishes differ from that of their doctor.
Where you’ll work as a nurse advocate
Nurse advocates work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Long-term care centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Specialty departments
How to become a nurse advocate
Get an Associate’s Degrees in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.
While there is no specific nurse advocate certification, there are variety of certifications that train nurses as patient care liaisons.
You’re ready to work as a nurse advocate!
Nurse advocate career resources
Become a member of a nurse advocate organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Nurse Advocacy Association
Nurse Advocacy Association
3 ways to be a nurse advocate
As a nurse advocate, you’ll speak up on behalf of nurses. It’s an empowering and inspiring role that can help promote change for your colleagues, patients, and the healthcare industry as a whole.
